Dutystation: Beirut, Lebanon
Functional responsibilities
The purpose of this assignment is to provide specialized technical expertise in forestry and forest ecosystem management to support the planning, design, and implementation of integrated forest management and restoration activities under the project. The Forestry & Ecosystem Management Expert plays a key role in ensuring that forest ecosystems are managed sustainably, resiliently, and in a manner that contributes to biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and long-term socio-environmental benefits.
This role is central to ensuring that all forest-related interventions—from the development of Forest Management Plans (FMPs)(mandate of MoA) to on-the-ground implementation—are designed and executed with a robust scientific foundation, aligned with national policies, global environmental commitments, and community needs. Since the mandate for sustainable forest management and forest protection is shared across several government entities including MoA, the consultant will work in close collaboration with MoA and others to help bridge the gap between ecological goals and operational delivery by providing oversight, guidance, and validation across multiple technical domains including biodiversity conservation, silvicultural planning, wildfire risk reduction, sustainable harvesting, and forest ecosystem restoration.
The scope of the assignment includes the development, technical review, and updating of FMPs; integration of biodiversity and fire management strategies into forest planning; oversight of baseline biodiversity assessments; development of silvicultural treatment prescriptions; and provision of restoration guidance for degraded landscapes. The expert will also contribute to the preparation of technical documentation, including bills of quantities and design drawings, support tendering and procurement processes, participate in the inspection and acceptance of goods and services, and contribute to periodic progress and financial reporting.
In addition, the expert will engage closely with key stakeholders, government agencies, municipalities, local communities, and other partners—to ensure alignment of forest interventions with broader conservation and development goals, and to foster knowledge sharing and capacity building at the local level.
By combining ecological expertise with field-based technical support and stakeholder collaboration, the Forestry & Ecosystem Management Expert ensures that the project delivers lasting environmental impact, strengthens natural resource governance, and promotes the resilience of forest landscapes and communities.
Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager and in coordination with the MoE project team and relevant stakeholders, the Forestry & Ecosystem Management Expert will be responsible for the following functional responsibilities:
Task 1: Forest Management Planning and Review
Using the guidelines developed by the MoA, develop and review Forest Management Plans (FMPs) for targeted areas, ensuring integration of biodiversity, silvicultural practices, and fire management strategies.
Validate and update plans based on field data, assessments, and evolving project needs.
Task 2: Biodiversity Integration
Ensure biodiversity assessment findings are incorporated into FMPs and silvicultural treatments.
Support the formulation of forest restoration and conservation strategies aligned with ecological sustainability.
Task 3: Silvicultural Treatment Planning
Develop and review silvicultural prescriptions, particularly for high fire-risk or degraded forest areas affected by fires.
Ensure alignment of treatments with biodiversity conservation principles and sustainable resource use. This includes the use of local fire-resistant species and the development of mixed forest stands.
Task 4: Fire Management
Integrate wildfire risk reduction measures into FMPs, including technical recommendations for fire prevention, preparedness, and post-fire recovery. This includes considerations for fire breaks, pruning, controlled burning.
Task 5: Technical Oversight and Validation
Provide technical oversight for baseline biodiversity assessments to ensure relevance and alignment with sustainable forest management goals.
Review and validate outputs and findings from consulting firms related to forestry, biodiversity, and fire management.
Task 6: Ecosystem Restoration
Provide guidance on restoration of degraded ecosystems with emphasis on native species regeneration and resilience building.
Advise on appropriate techniques for site preparation, planting, and post-restoration monitoring.
Task 7: Sustainable Harvesting
Develop and recommend sustainable harvesting practices for wood and non-wood products that balance ecological integrity with livelihood needs.
Identify low-impact harvesting zones, methods and sustainable harvesting quota.
Task 8: Stakeholder Engagement
Collaborate with government agencies, municipalities, local communities, and NGOs to ensure forest management activities reflect local priorities and conservation goals.
Facilitate capacity building for beneficiaries in selected UOMs and other stakeholders as agreed in the project steering committee and knowledge transfer sessions as needed.
Task 9: Technical Documentation and Reporting
Assist in the preparation of technical specifications, bills of quantities, and design drawings for relevant procurement packages.
Contribute to the development of periodic technical and financial reports, as well as updates to the project implementation schedule.
Task 10: Support to Procurement and Implementation
Participate in receipt and inspection of equipment, goods, and field implementation activities.
Ensure technical compliance of procured items with project and forest management requirements.
The incumbent will be responsible for preparing and finalizing the below deliverables:
The consultant is expected to submit one report or technical output for each assigned task, as follows:
Task 1: Forest Management Planning Report
Includes reviewed and updated Forest Management Plans (FMPs) for targeted areas with integrated biodiversity, silvicultural, and fire management strategies. These FMPs need to be approved by the MoA.
Task 2: Biodiversity Integration Report
Summarizes findings and recommendations of the biodiversity baseline report for integrating biodiversity into FMPs and silvicultural treatment plans, including restoration guidance.
Task 3: Silvicultural Treatment Plan
Provides detailed silvicultural prescriptions for high-risk or degraded areas, including biodiversity-sensitive approaches and treatment schedules.
Task 4: Fire Management Strategy Note
Outlines fire prevention, risk reduction, and post-fire restoration measures to be integrated into the overall forest management framework.
Task 5: Technical Review & Validation Report
Presents technical feedback and validation notes on consulting firm outputs related to biodiversity, silviculture, and fire management.
Task 6: Ecosystem Restoration Guidance Document
Details site-specific restoration strategies, native species recommendations, and post-restoration monitoring protocols.
Task 7: Sustainable Harvesting Guidelines
Recommends ecologically sound harvesting techniques, spatial zoning for low-impact extraction, and livelihood integration.
Task 8: Stakeholder Engagement Summary and Training Materials
Includes stakeholder meeting records, capacity-building session summaries, and training presentations or handouts.
Task 9: Technical Procurement Package
Includes technical specifications, design drawings, bills of quantities (BoQs), and cost estimates for forestry-related procurement.
Task 10: Implementation Support & Inspection Report
Documents inspection and verification of delivered goods and equipment, ensuring technical compliance with project specifications.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Forestry, Environmental Science, Ecosystem Management, Natural Resources Management, or a closely related field is required.
A first-level university degree in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Experience:
Minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in forest management, silviculture, ecosystem restoration, or biodiversity conservation within diverse ecological and institutional contexts.
Proven experience in the development, review, and implementation of Forest Management Plans (FMPs), with integrated approaches that include biodiversity conservation, silvicultural treatment, and wildfire risk reduction. (Required)
Demonstrated capacity to design and apply silvicultural prescriptions, particularly for high-risk, degraded, or ecologically sensitive forest areas, balancing ecological integrity with resource use objectives. (desired)
Extensive involvement in biodiversity assessments, including oversight of baseline studies, interpretation of ecological data, and integration of findings into forest planning and restoration strategies.(Required)
Practical experience in ecosystem restoration, particularly in developing guidance on reforestation, enrichment planting, species selection, and post-restoration monitoring using nature-based solutions. (Required)
Strong familiarity with sustainable harvesting practices, including the development of site-specific recommendations and spatial zoning for low-impact forest utilization. (desired)
Experience in reviewing and validating technical reports and outputs produced by consulting firms or implementing partners, with the ability to provide actionable feedback and ensure alignment with forest management goals.(desired)
Background in fire management planning, including the integration of prevention, mitigation, and recovery measures into forest strategies. (Required)
Prior work with international development agencies, government bodies, or environmental NGOs in supporting forestry and conservation projects, particularly those involving stakeholder consultation, community engagement, or policy interface. (desired)
Familiarity with technical documentation and procurement, including the preparation of technical specifications, bills of quantities (BoQs), design drawings, and participation in the inspection of delivered goods or equipment.(desired)
Experience contributing to project reporting, including progress reports, technical summaries, and implementation schedule updates aligned with donor or institutional requirements.(desired)
Language:
Strong command of English and Arabic is required. French is a plus.
TOGETHER, WE BUILD THE FUTURE
UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.
Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.
We are proud of our people and embrace diversity and are committed to equal employment opportunities. Our workforce brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners. Spread across 80 countries from a range of backgrounds, and languages and have different gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities.
We encourage women and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS to apply. These include candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.